Attorneys trade some heat

The Associated Press

Wednesday

Mar 23, 2011 at 12:01 AM

SAN FRANCISCO — With prosecutors saying Barry Bonds lied about using steroids, the home run king’s lead attorney started picking at the government’s case Tuesday, attacking witnesses expected to accuse Bonds of willfully taking drugs to make him hit the ball harder and farther.

Defense lawyer Allen Ruby, his rich voice sometimes inflected with sarcasm, said in his opening statement that a former Bonds girlfriend, a former business partner and a former personal shopper only came forward against his client after the baseball star broke off relationships with them.

He also insisted Bonds testified truthfully before a grand jury in December 2003 when he said he did not know he was using a pair of designer steroids. Bonds claims his trainer told him that he was taking “flaxseed oil” and “arthritic cream.”

“I know it doesn’t make a great story. Barry Bonds went to the grand jury and told the truth and did his best,” Ruby said. “That’s not a made-for-TV story.”

On a day when federal agent Jeff Novitzky became the first witness to testify, saying Bonds’ grand jury account differed with other facts in the case, the contrast in stories and legal teams could not have been greater.

While Ruby, a high-priced, high-profile defense lawyer, spoke in a booming baritone and painted Bonds as a victim over the course of an hour, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Parrella gave his 46-minute statement in a workmanlike monotone that had some jurors struggling to keep their heads up.

His two best lines drew objections from Ruby that were sustained by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston.

After the opening statements, and with the jury out of the court room, Anderson walked in and passed Bonds, who turned his head away.

Anderson repeated his long-standing refusal to testify against his childhood friend, was held in civil contempt by Illston, taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and escorted out a back door. This will be his fourth time in prison, his third for refusing to testify against Bonds, and he likely will be held until the end of the trial. The case is expected to last about a month.

Mariners like Ryan at short with Wilson moving to second

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners said Brendan Ryan will be their starting shortstop this season and Jack Wilson will shift over to second base.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge made the announcement Tuesday. He said he thinks that alignment is a more comfortable fit.

The Mariners got Ryan in a trade with St. Louis last December. He’s known more for his glove than his bat.

The 33-year-old Wilson has been one of the best-fielding shortstops in the majors throughout his career. He wasn’t thrilled with the move to second base but says he accepts it.

Braves plan to honor Cox by retiring his No. 6 this summer

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves on Tuesday announced plans to retire former manager Bobby Cox’s number.

The Braves will honor Cox’s No. 6 on Aug. 12 before a home game against the Chicago Cubs.

Cox is the first to have his number retired by the Braves only for his accomplishments as a manager.

Cox retired after last season. He is fourth all-time with 2,504 wins, including 2,149 wins in 25 years with the Braves.

The Braves won 14 straight division titles and the 1995 World Series under Cox.

Using righty-lefty leadoff plan appeals to Yankees’ Girardi

SARASOTA, Fla. — Joe Girardi has added another dimension to his leadoff-hitter experiment.

The New York Yankees manager on Tuesday didn’t rule out using both Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner in the leadoff spot, depending on the opposing pitcher.

“You could see two different lineups,” Girardi said before a spring training game against Baltimore. “One for right-handers, one for left-handers.”

Should the Yankees use a two-lineup system, Girardi said Gardner could bat first against right-handers and ninth vs. lefties. New York has been looking recently at how the lineup shapes up with Gardner leading off and Jeter in the No. 2 hole.

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